How to deal with trolls bugging you on Facebook and Twitter – tips from the experts
Try not to let criticism on social media upset you or rely on it for your sense of self-worth. If other users’ ignorant or vitriolic comments get to you, don’t get mad – choose your battles and know when to walk away
When one of his Facebook friends recently posted that global warming was a hoax, Rishi Narang was taken aback by the statement.
The 34-year-old, who works as a security consultant in Hong Kong, could have become angry and retorted with an equally offensive statement, but instead, he asked his friend to explain himself.
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“He shared a video, and I could see where he was coming from,” says Narang. “We exchanged our opinions in a civilised manner, and in the end, we had a constructive discussion. I even learned something new from listening to his views.”
Not all of us have been as lucky when using social media. Perhaps you’ve taken to Facebook to criticise a politician, only to be told off by a friend who didn’t feel the same way. Perhaps your vent on a restaurant’s Twitter page drew a sharp rebuke from its manager. Or maybe you were mocked or bullied for your comments on news articles.
There’s no question as to how these experiences might have left you feeling – angry, upset, annoyed, anxious, and stressed. And there are no prizes for guessing how these emotions affect your emotional health, both in the short and long run.